MOVIN' TO JERSEY

Beau and Jen have made the move to New Jersey but not before they told some family and friends good-bye in Chicago.

Nathan and Logan gave Beau a beautiful watch as a graduation gift that night. Beau was so surprised and absolutely loved it.

Jen with good friends KB and Dee.

Jen, Jess and their roommate Jessica (better known as Wes).

Good buddy Adam.

Jen & Aunt Debbie.

And then it was time to move on out.

After we got to New Jersey on Friday (6-20-08) we went to see some of the sights in New York City on Saturday.

The pictures above are: a shot of NY City, of course the Statue of Liberty, Long Island, Yankee Stadium (which is being torn down and a new one built) and Ellis Island. We went to the very sobering Ground Zero. We saw the bar where Tom Cruise filmed "Cocktail" and many more very cool sights. We didn't get to Times Square or few other places we really wanted to see but time was very limited and we will be back.

Good luck Dr. Beau Shay and Jennifer we will miss you both dearly and love you both!!!

"SAYING GOOD-BYE"

Saturday June 14th we were invited to Jen's Mom's to celebrate Jen's brother Josh's receiving his Masters degree and to say good-bye to Jen and Beau before we move them to New Jersey.

Jen and her family, sister Jess, brother Josh and Mom Mary Jo.

Jen and her sister Jess.

The Youngbloods and Shays.

And last but not least Beau saying good-bye to his ole buddy Trey.

37 YEARS OF WEDDED BLISS

On Thursday June 12th John and myself celebrated out 37th wedding anniversary. It has been quite a ride. You always have your ups and downs but I can honestly say we have had more ups than downs. Of course we both feel if it weren't for our family we don't know what could have possibly kept us more entertained. Three absolutely wonderful sons, a beautiful daughter-in-law and of course our incredibly fantastic, darling grandchildren. Not to mention our parents and siblings and nieces and nephew.

Here are some shots of the beautiful bouquet Shaybo sent me. Man still has good taste!!!!

IT'S OFFICIAL ~ DR. BEAU BRADLEY SHAY

Oh, what a wonderful weekend, our boy did it!!! Dr. Beau Bradley Shay!!! We were so proud when they announced it and hooded him. The hood was beautiful in a mint green. Dad, Zach, Jen, Grandma Betty, Aunt Debbie, Uncle Jim and myself were in attendance.

Dr. Beau Shay & Jen

The proud parents (nice hair I have ~ way too humid)

Zach was very proud of his brother as well.

Dr. Beau & Grandma Betty

Beau's good friends Andy and Brent officially doctors as well.

Then the party began and oh what a party it was. A good time was had by all.
Beau's high school buddies (Matt McGinn, Teddy Grothe, Justin Brown, Chris Strauch, Aaron Vargas, Kevin Schroeder, Sean Carr, Mike Kartawich & Aaron Vargas ) plus Adam Barnes all went together and bought him a 32 inch flat screen T.V. for graduation. He was so touched. You could not ask for a better group of guys

Aunt Debbie and Grandma enjoyed the party.

As did Grandma Shay and Aunt Margo.

My beautiful niece Carly and handsome nephew Nathan and Logan were there as well. (Sorry Logan I don't have a pic of you). Always happy to see them. Beau will miss them when he moves.



Uncle Jim can always be found with the pretty girls.

Our friends Jim & Rosemary Peterson made the trip all the way from Bettendorf, Iowa. They are the best!! I know Beau really appreciated them coming as did we. Thanks Jim & Rosemary.

My friend Adam.

Beau & Dr. Russell Carlson, Beau's other roommate besides Matt McGinn.

Grandma donning Beau's graduation cap.

John & Jess enjoying a moment.

We are so sorry Jason and his family could not make it. They missed a wonderful day.

BIG DAY FRIDAY 6/6/08

This is it Beau Shay becomes Dr. Beau Shay this Friday. Lots of family and friends will be coming into Chicago to celebrate this very happy occasion. He has worked hard to get to this point and we are soooooo proud of him. Stay tuned for all the details of graduation and the party afterwards. It should be a fun time. Beau Bradley Shay we are so proud of you and love you very much!!!!

AN INCREDIBLE TEXT MESSAGE

Oh my gosh, I am sitting at work the other day and my cell phone beeps telling me I have a text message and low and behold who do you think it was from????? My 5 year old granddaughter Peija Lee. I tell you what these young little people can't figure out isn't worth figuring out I guess. She is one smart little cookie. We got to messaging back and forth and talking about what was going on in her life and she mentioned she really wanted the Webkinz panda bear. So of course grandma went right out and got one and got our little Joah some farm machinery to play with. He love cars, trucks, tractors, wagons you name it. So off to Tennessee is a package. They truly amaze us!!!!!!!!

PLATINUM WEEKEND

This weekend we spent in Dubuque Iowa. John had training on Friday for his job with Platinum Services and Friday night Platinum treated us to a night of pizza and bowling. It was a lot of fun, and cash prizes were given, John walked away with his fair share of prize money. I was absolutely pathetic but had a great time.

Platinum put us up in the Hilton (they own in Dubuque plus the casino next door) and so I had to visit the casino after I had lunch with some of the wives. We all headed over there and for once it was my day. I was playing penny slots (the big spender that I am) and I was on a machine that just kept hitting and hitting. I walked about from that machine with $157.00. I moved to another machine and I walked with $60.00. I had spent $45 so I made out with $172, not bad for an afternoon of entertainment.

On Saturday John's boss and his wife (Craig & Carol Balsar) and us drove to Galena. What a beautiful today to be outside, it was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO NICE!! Of course I had to spend my earnings. So I bought 2 watches and 2 purses. I LOVE SHOPPING!!!!!!!!! Oh, I think I spent a little bit of John's winnings as well, that is what husbands are for, right?

So it was a very nice weekend. Back to reality tomorrow. Carl Sandburg here I come. In 3 weeks is Beau's graduation, I just can't believe it.

Busy Weekend

We had a great weekend. Beau was home for Mother's Day. It is always wonderful to see one of our children.

Friday night we went to dinner with our dear friends, Cindy, Tim, Marlys and Warren. We ate at the Monmouth Country Club and it was quite tasty. Beau went with us so it was nice to have him visit with our friends as well.

Saturday I had coffee with some of my high school classmates. That is always such a good time. When we are together it is as if we are still back in high school. We just pick up where we left off. The Class of '69 was definitely F I N E in "69!!!!

Sunday, Debbie, Jim, Carly, Nathan, Logan (Nathan's significant other), Mom, Margaret (John's Mom), Beau, John and I drove to LaSalle/Peru for dinner at the Uptown Grill. It was wonderful food and great to all be together for Mother's Day. Nathan brought his new puppy Lady a Cavalier King Charles spaniel. What an adorable dog.

Have a good week!

TRUE HUMAN SPIRIT ~ COURAGEOUS HUMAN BEING

I am sure you have probably read by now that Chris Lofton, University of Tennessee's outstanding basketball player, was diagnosed a year ago March with testicular cancer. He found out the night the VOLS lost to Ohio State in the NCAA tournament. Chris went through surgery and radiation treatment to take care of this awful disease. The most brilliant and unselfish part of this all was that this young man choose to keep this quiet as to not distract from his team. What a brave soul. It is reported that Chris is now cancer free but must be monitored for the rest of his life. Any pro team that does not consider him is without a heart and is losing out on a great player.

Chris we pray that you live a long healthy life. And thank you so much for the memories. You will go down as one of the greats if not the greatest to ever have played for UT. God Bless you Chris.

MOM'S HEART PROCEDURE

Just a quick update on Mom, heart procedure went well yesterday they were able to insert a stent in her heart and she tolerated the procedure very well. She spent the night in the hospital and we will bring her home today. Thank you for all of your prayers. She is one amazing women.